The exact reason Chang E ate both immortality pills is not definitively singular, as different narratives within the myth offer varying explanations for her actions. The most prominent accounts provide two primary motivations for her decision.
Multiple Narratives Explain Chang E's Actions
The myth of Chang E's ascent to the moon is rich with different interpretations of why she consumed both immortality pills. These narratives often paint her as either a selfless heroine or a more self-serving figure.
Here's a breakdown of the two main versions:
| Narrative Version | Motivation for Eating Both Pills | Outcome/Context |
|---|---|---|
| Noble Sacrifice | To prevent an enemy from stealing the immortality pills that her husband, Houyi, had obtained for them to share and live together forever. | She ascended to the moon alone, safeguarding the powerful elixirs from falling into malicious hands. |
| Selfish Act | To gain immortality solely for herself, without sharing the pills with her husband, Houyi. | She fled to the moon, sometimes depicted with a rabbit, leaving her lover behind on Earth. |
Detailed Explanations of Each Narrative
The Noble Sacrifice Narrative
In this version, Chang E's act is portrayed as a courageous and selfless deed. Her husband, Houyi, the legendary archer, had acquired the immortality pills, intending for both of them to consume one each and live eternally together. However, an adversary sought to steal these potent elixirs. To protect the pills from falling into the wrong hands and being misused, Chang E quickly ingested both of them. This noble act meant she ascended to the moon alone, sacrificing their shared future to prevent a greater evil.
The Selfish Act Narrative
Conversely, another widespread account suggests a more self-serving motivation. In this narrative, Chang E is depicted as desiring immortality solely for herself. Without regard for her husband, Houyi, she selfishly consumed both pills, thereby gaining eternal life and fleeing to the moon. This version often portrays her as leaving Houyi abandoned on Earth, accompanied only by a rabbit on her lunar abode.
Both narratives conclude with Chang E residing on the moon, but they differ significantly in the moral implications of her pivotal decision to consume both immortality pills.
